By Larry Durstin
The Cleveland sports scene has been in the national spotlight over the past few weeks with the Browns drafting Johnny Football and the Cavaliers winning — against all odds and for the unprecedented third time in the past four years — the first pick in the NBA Draft Lottery.
This, of course, has opened the floodgates for more sophomoric media-mockery of Cleveland by the usual snide suspects who view our fair city as low-hanging fruit ready to be plucked at a moment’s notice by even the dimmest of assholes. And when it comes to the Cavs, the jokes, rumors, innuendo and speculation have, of course, surrounded LeBron James and his return or non-return to Cleveland and the status of his relationship with Cavs owner Dan Gilbert.
I will not honor such tedious yak-yak with a response, though I will say that LeBron should get down on his hands and knees and apologize to the fans in Cleveland for his two-year collusion with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to join the Miami Heat — while all the while acting as if he were Olivier struggling with a profound and deeply painful choice rather than the crass, foregone conclusion that it actually was; for quitting like a dog in Game 5 against the Celtics because he was already out the door; and for the creepy Decision circle jerk during which he lied like a cheap rug and said he just woke up that morning and picked the Heat. It’s a wonder a lightning bolt didn’t hit him and the four horsemen he rode in on.
As for Gilbert, I say that he should never apologize for the Letter. It was the only honest and honorable thing that took place during that mid-summer nightmare conjured by Team James.
That said, Gilbert – heading into his tenth season as Cavs owner – has a lot of explaining to do for his stewardship. He’s the one who hired pasty-faced Dukie Danny Ferry – arguably the biggest flop as a player in Cavs history – and his robotic sidekick Chris Grant to make personnel decisions for the franchise. He’s the one who green-flagged the hiring, firing, hiring, firing of Mike Brown – a fiasco that produced well-deserved ridicule from just about everyone. And he’s the man whose team has the worst record in the NBA over the past four years.
Now what? First of all, the team needs to stop dreaming/planning for LeBron’s return like an empty-nest mom keeping a long-gone son’s bedroom just so — while the rest of the house deteriorates. Of course, I realize that asking the organization and the fans to do this is like trying to stop man’s hoping against hope for eternal life or, better yet, trying to prevent Browns’ followers from believing that each NFL draft marks the end of their long, collective nightmare. In other words, there’s no stopping it. However, I’m leaving the fantasy musings to brothers Roarke and Tattoo and choose to operate in a no-LeBron zone.
As for the next coach, I am somewhat intrigued by a few of the college coaches and higher-profile assistants being mentioned and would not be totally averse to hiring from that universe. But I’m looking for experience. I love the idea of George Karl coming back to Cleveland on the 30th anniversary of him first being hired here in 1984, but I want a coach who was a good NBA player and has had success coaching in the league. My choice is Lionel Hollins, a no-nonsense, hard-working guy presumably not afflicted with Byron Scott’s “I’m late for my tee time” approach to the job.
I’m totally against trying to put together a package, including the number one pick, to acquire Kevin Love, who can opt out after next season. It’s a ridiculous idea spawned from “let’s do everything in the hopes that HE comes back” mindset that I deplore.
Instead, I keep the pick and draft either Andrew Wiggins or Joel Embiid (if he’s cleared medically). Right now, I’d pick Wiggins. The only trade of the first pick I would approve of would be with Philadelphia or Milwaukee for one of their – or someone else’s via a three team deal – younger vets and their first pick. That way I would be assured of getting either Wiggins, Embiid or Jabari Parker, the other of this draft year’s Big Three.
No one on the Cavs roster should be untouchable. If Kyrie Irving doesn’t want to sign a max extension, trade him. While I’m hoping that Kyrie stays, this team desperately needs highly talented veteran help, so to add some I would strongly consider moving two of my personal favorites, Dion Waiters and/or Tristan Thompson, for the right deal. I would also heavily pursue Washington’s free agent center Marcin Gortat.
Now, some have said that the Cavs should keep their core young players together and see how they progress as a unit. That’s a fair point, but all their core players have gotten them over the past few years is the worst record in the league. Plus, there are salary cap concerns in extending the contracts of high draft picks. If Tristan is evaluated by the new regime as being little more than a high-energy rotation player, and if Dion is adjudged to be a terrible “fit” with Kyrie, do the Cavs really want to ante-up for long-term deals for one or both?
There are similar evaluations and decisions to be made regarding a number of the players on the roster. But, generally speaking, I believe that the Cavs must be ready and willing to move anyone in hopes of making the team better. The Cavaliers have a new GM, will have a new coach and possess considerable trade assets and salary cap space. It’s time for boldness and a bit of a makeover.
If not now, when?
[Photo: Betp (Wikimedia Commons)]
Larry Durstin is an independent journalist who has covered politics and sports for a variety of publications and websites over the past 20 years. He was the founding editor of the Cleveland Tab and an associate editor at the Cleveland Free Times. Durstin has won 12 Ohio Excellence in Journalism awards, including six first places in six different writing categories. He is the author of the novel The Morning After John Lennon Was Shot. LarryDurstinATyahoo.com
One Response to “DURSTIN: Thoughts on Gilbert, LeBron & the Summer of #Cavs”
Larry Durstin
David, Was that ever in dispute